Light From Beyond

Every few decades a rare and wonderful occurrence happens. Christmas and Hanukkah are celebrated  on the same day. Well, sort of. While Christmas begins and ends on its usual date of December 25th; this year, Hanukkah begins on December 25th and does not end until January 2, 2025. And as I usually end the year with a piece by my favorite poet, Wallace Stevens, if you don't mind, I would like to share with you a Hebrew poem by the esteemed Jewish writer and poet, Alden Solovy. 

When you look
With all of your heart
Into the flames
Dedicated to miracles,
You may glimpse
That special light
God created
On the first day of existence.

How comforting to know
That God’s holiness
And majesty
Still reach this world
Of war and terror.

How wonderful to feel
That God’s love
And blessings
Still shine
To warm our souls.

How glorious to see
That mysteries from heaven
Still wait in secret
To bring joy and light
To all of creation.

When you look
With all of your heart
Into the Hanukkah lights,
You will see
That miracles
Beyond our sight
Will one day bring joy and peace
Beyond our deepest yearning. 

To all of my friends and your loved ones in this prelude to Christmas and Hanukkah, whether you be Jewish or Gentile, believer or non-believer.
May the light fill your home this evening and every evening throughout the year, and the heat of its flame keep you warm; 
May you have a renaissance in your soul that carries you daily;
May you carry the fire, and carry the Yahwistic Blessing of "more life into a time without boundaries." 
And may being together always be enough.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Your Faithful Correspondent, 

Peter Brent Hall